Hi again all. Still on a mission about glass. I'm having some big stacker doors made. They'll be double glazed (6-12-6). They are northwest facing so I'm adding a low-e layer to layer 3 (the outside of the inner glass pane).
Now, we will be easily visible to every man and his dog through these doors. I'll have external sun shade blinds for summer, and we will eventually make some internal blinds, but in an ideal world we'd just love to take in the unobstructed view.
So:
Has anyone used any "privacy" glass? I don't wasn't to use some added film, as I've seen too many go weird over time. I've noticed some posh places with a slightly mirrored looking glass, but it'd be good if this was subtle rather than a full on mirror look. It'd be good if it didn't overly tint the view or distort in any way.
Any ideas?
Reflective privacy coatings on external glass
(12 posts) (6 voices)-
mat-with-one-t
MemberPosted Thursday 17 Sep 2015 @ 9:58:48 pm from IP # -
Annette
MemberDo you mean the glass that can be either milky ( opague) or clear depending on whether it is switched on or off? Called 'switchable glass'. Having it installed can be very pricey.
A guy in another forum ordered privacy film from China. It sticks on to the glass and operates the same way ( milky or clear) - but had a few issues with supply and quality.
I guess you could use slightly obscure glass, but sort of negates the view.
Posted Friday 18 Sep 2015 @ 7:52:35 am from IP # -
Oilburner
MemberI remember my grandparents place when I was a kid. Had huge windows and they were also worried about privacy. Fortunately they came up with a really high tech but affordable solution to let them see out without others seeing in.
It worked very well and from time to time my grandparents would even update the stuff.
It's going back a fair ways now But I think I recall the name of the stuff they used.
If I remember right, they called them CURTAINS.Might be worth looking into to see if anyone still does them.
Posted Saturday 19 Sep 2015 @ 9:33:36 am from IP # -
Annette
MemberHi Mat
What sort of views do you have?
From one of your other posts, I was imagining mountains or trees etc, but in this thread you mentioned that every man and hid dog will be able to see in?
Anyway, Pilkington makes a privacy glass, (Mirropane) that is quite mirrored on one side and slightly reflective on the other. Needs particular light conditions, from memory to retain privacy.
Also, found this product http://www.imaging-sciences.com/index.php/onewayvisionglass.html which is a film but sounds interesting. It shows up as a graphic image on one side but just slightly tinted on the other. Used in commercial buildings - and sounds expensive.
Posted Saturday 19 Sep 2015 @ 1:48:42 pm from IP # -
johnmath
MemberControllable tint windows are used in Japanese trains behind the driver. This allows passengers to view the track ahead, but privacy for the driver when he needs it.
http://sageglass.com/sageglass/
https://www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/cutting-edge-windows-can-be-tinted-demand
Posted Saturday 19 Sep 2015 @ 9:30:50 pm from IP # -
Annette
Memberjohnmath said:
Controllable tint windows are used in Japanese trains behind the driver. This allows passengers to view the track ahead, but privacy for the driver when he needs it.http://sageglass.com/sageglass/
https://www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/cutting-edge-windows-can-be-tinted-demand
I have heard that 'switchable glass' is very very pricey.
Posted Saturday 19 Sep 2015 @ 10:09:24 pm from IP # -
mat-with-one-t
MemberOilburner said:
I remember my grandparents place when I was a kid. Had huge windows and they were also worried about privacy. Fortunately they came up with a really high tech but affordable solution to let them see out without others seeing in.It worked very well and from time to time my grandparents would even update the stuff.
It's going back a fair ways now But I think I recall the name of the stuff they used.
If I remember right, they called them CURTAINS.Might be worth looking into to see if anyone still does them.
Geez. So helpful.
Posted Tuesday 22 Sep 2015 @ 8:21:05 am from IP # -
mat-with-one-t
Memberbashworth said:
All semi reflective films rely on the light being stronger on the side you want to be reflective. At night when its dark outside but internal lights are on you can normally see in!Yeah I am aware of this too. Sorry - I should be clearer (pardon the pun):
- I am aware of fancy switchable glass, but I'm already selling one kidney for the windows as it is
- we will (no thanks to one comment here) have interior roll down blinds for night-time privacy. I'd wanted some nice heavy curtains but we just couldn't figure out where they could stack (it's 8+ metre span - curtains take up too much space either side unfortunately)
- thus main issue is people seeing in during day. This means both a privacy and a security issue.
- we will be using likely 6mm double glazing with a 12mm (or maybe more?) Argon gap
- we will have exterior full length blinds to protect from summer sun, thus likely go a low-e coat on surface 3 (to keep winter warmth in)
SO:
- ideally, we'd rather enjoy the view than have blinds down all day. My question was as to whether anyone was aware of a somewhat reflective glass finish that would fit in with all of this?
eg. one recommendation was "Evantage" (a Veridian glass productPosted Tuesday 22 Sep 2015 @ 8:28:10 am from IP #
